Technique plates

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for weightlifting. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plate. The plate is formed as one piece of solid plastic. The plate includes a hole that is configured to receive a bar. The plate is used in a weightlifting system. According to the apparatus disclosed herein, the plate is rugged and stable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weightlifting systems, and more particularly to a weightlifting plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weightlifting systems are well known. Typically weightlifting systems include a bar with removable plates of varying weights. A weightlifter may adjust the weights by adding plates to the bar or removing plates from the bar.

In Canada, most plate sets prior to about 1970 were graduated in pounds. A changeover to metrics occurred in the early 70s due to an increased international exposure of weightlifting as well as Canada's anticipated metrification. In addition, the Russian “World Record” plate set was popular at this time and was only available in metric. The conversion to metrics occurred over a transitional period. In Olympic weightlifting oriented gyms, 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, and 2.5 pound plates; 5 pound collars; and 45 pound bars were gradually replaced with 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 kilo plates; 2.5 kilo collars; and 20 kilo bars. Power lifters took somewhat longer to transition from pounds to metrics while the weight trainers are still in a long transition.

The French produced the first rubber plate set in the early sixties. The first time rubber plates were used in Canada was around 1967. Rubber plates came about because they were more floor friendly. As weightlifting records increased, manufacturers found less room for plates on their bar sleeves. One solution was to decrease the width of each plate. However, this made the pressure-per-area even greater when forming plates. A rubber-iron combination plate was invented that was narrower than the old iron plates but wider and softer than the new ones. However, they were also more expensive and had a shorter life.

The size of the heaviest discs is typically 450 mm. Fifteen kilogram plates have only been full sized (diameter) since the 1960s. The Russian “World Record” plate sets had them first. Larger plates also spread the impact on more barbell surface area. There are now full-sized 10 pound plates, even some 5 and 2.5 pound plates. Twenty-five kilogram plates were also added in 1972. Four years later 50 kilogram rubber plates were added.

Color coded plates also became established in Munich. The 25 pound plates were red, 20 pound plates were blue, 15 pound plates were yellow. Green 50 kilogram plates were added in 1976 but were seldom used and were gone by 1980. By 1984, 10 kilogram rubber plates were black but iron versions had no standard color. In 1988, there were green 10 pound plates, white 5 pound plates, black 2.5 pound plates, and chrome 1.25 pound plates, 0.50 pound plates and 0.25 pound plates. The rubber 10 pound plates were then made green.

The barbell has not changed fundamentally since the 1928 Olympics where the revolving sleeve barbell became the standard. Attempts at standardizing the bar were made as early as around 1905, but standardization could not be finalized until the lifts were finally standardized in 1928. Only a few superficial changes have been instituted since then, such as the markings. A women's bar was added in 1996, with colors that distinguish men's bar from a women's bar in 2000.

During a number of years, it was common to use barbells without collars, whether in training or competition. This was possible due to the tight fit. The rules were changed in 1972 to require collars, where a standard two clamps were used to grip the sleeve and a revolving screw device was used to tighten the sleeve against the plates. The device worked but it was also awkward to use. So at the 1958 Brussels Worlds Fair, the Soviets introduced to the world their revolutionary new “World Record” barbell set. Its plates were made of steel instead of cast iron. The plates also were edge trimmed with chrome or stainless steel while their sides were painted blue. This made for very photogenic competition shots. The sleeves had a series of grooves that allowed a ratchet clip on the collar to catch and secure the collar into position. Slippage was then impossible, while a screw device without the usual levers could make the finer adjustments against the plates. This set remained popular until 1972. The collar system never did catch on due to the wider sleeves that were necessary. As a result, 50 mm sleeves became standard. The Soviets were somehow allowed to use a rubber version in the 1980 Olympics that was still outside the rules. In the 1972 Olympics, a barbell was used, which reverted to essentially exercise collars. These had a single screw lever that wound against the sleeve. The screw lever was very simple but fine adjustments to secure the plates were not possible.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved weightlifting system. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for weightlifting is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plate. The plate is formed as one piece of solid plastic. The plate includes a hole that is configured to receive a bar. The plate is used in a weightlifting system. According to the apparatus disclosed herein, the plate is rugged and stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a weightlifting system in accordance to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weightlifting systems, and more particularly to a weightlifting plate. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

A weightlifting plate is disclosed. The weightlifting plate is a plate formed as one piece of solid plastic and includes a hole that is configured to receive a bar. The plate is used in a weightlifting system. According to the apparatus disclosed herein, the plate is rugged and stable. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a weightlifting system 100 in accordance to one embodiment. As FIG. 1 shows, the weightlifting system 100 includes a set of plates 102 and a bar 104. In one embodiment, the bar 104 is made of metal. The weightlifting system 100 is used for exercise. In one embodiment, the each of the plates 102 used for Olympic weightlifting. As such, the bar 104 may be an Olympic weightlifting barbell. In one embodiment, the plates 102 may be secured to the bar 104 using clips if desired.

In one embodiment, each plate 102 is formed from a plastic-based composite and molded by compression in special castings to meet a specific mass and shape for use with an Olympic lifting bar. In one embodiment, the special casting is designed in such a way to allow a single casting to be used for all sizes (or weights) of plate. In one embodiment, the special casting includes a negative mold of the plate. In one embodiment, the primary geometric difference between the different size plates, for achieving the different assigned weights of the plates, is the thickness of the plate. In one embodiment, the thickness of the special casting may be adjusted to allow the thickness of the mold to be adjusted. This enables the formation of different size plates using the same mold. In other words, a single mold may be used to form all size plates.

In one embodiment, each of the plates 102 is formed into one solid piece of plastic. Because plastic composite is very strong, a given plate will not break apart, as there are no dissimilar materials other than the plastic composite. In one embodiment, the plates may be available in pounds and kilograms. In one embodiment, plastic composite is composed of recycled plastics. In one embodiment, each plate 102 may have a private label.

Because plastic composite is solid and rugged, the plates 102 will not become discolored from being damaged, thereby eliminating any need for painting. In one embodiment, plates have a chalky appearance from the plastic composite. This facilitates in distinguishing the plates from conventional plates. Furthermore, the plates 102 do not rust as metal plates do. In one embodiment, the plates 102 have different colors depending on their weights. In one embodiment, the color is provided by the plastic-composite.

The one-piece construction of the plates 102 eliminates problems such as stiction that are associated with a bearing or bushing around the center hole. The one-piece construction combined with the strength of the plastic composite makes the hole of the plate 102 rugged. Furthermore, plastic by nature slides easily against the metal bar 104. As such, the plates 102 slide easily on and off the bar 104. In one embodiment, the center boss of the plates, where the hole is located, is equal to the maximum thickness of the plate. This provides the widest load bearing surface area between the plastic of the plate and the bar. This is important because it minimizes the friction of sliding the plate on and off the bar. This also distributes the force and impact between the bar and plate from the action of lifting evenly throughout the thickness of the plate across the depth of the hole. In one embodiment, the tolerance of the hole in the plate is specified to allow for easy sliding the plate on and off the bar. A hole that is too large would allow teetering of the plate on the bar during lifts. Embodiments prevent this teetering, as the combination of the hole tolerance and the hole width is adjusted to maintain easy sliding with minimum teetering of the plate on the bar.

In one embodiment, the plates are formed into competition sizes and shapes. For example, in one embodiment, each plate may be formed with a 17½″ diameter and with a 2″ diameter center hole, which would fit all Olympic bars. In one embodiment, the hub or center hole of each plate has a tolerance that fits closely to the bar to help eliminate wobble and bowing of the plate when on the bar, and to eliminate slipping around when the bar is dropped. For example, to further prevent wobble, each plate 102 has a sufficient depth or thickness, wide enough to eliminate wobble and bowing of the plate when on the bar.

Because of the ruggedness of the plates 102 and their being secure when on the bar 104, a coach and weightlifter can better focus on technique without worrying about damaging the plates from being dropped on the floor. A lifter and an athlete can appreciate this aspect especially in the learning phase or technique phase of learning the sport of weightlifting.

According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides numerous benefits. For example, embodiments of the present invention provide a rugged, solid weightlifting plate. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a weightlifting plate that fits all Olympic bars. Also, using the costs of composite materials and processes associated with composite materials keeps costs lower than other manufactured weight plates such as metal plates.

A weightlifting plate has been disclosed. The weightlifting plate is a plate formed as one piece and includes a hole that is configured to receive a bar. The plate is used in a weightlifting system. According to the apparatus disclosed herein, the plate is rugged and stable.

The present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and that any variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of plates, wherein each plate is formed as one piece of solid plastic from a plastic-based composite, wherein a given plate is a different color from other plates of a different weight, wherein each plate has a color that is provided by the plastic-composite, wherein each plate comprises a hole that is configured to receive a bar, and wherein the plurality of plates is used in a weightlifting system.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hole of each plate has a hole tolerance and hole width that maintains sliding with ease and minimum teetering of the plate on the bar.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each plate is formed from a plastic-based composite and is molded by compression.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each plate is formed from a plastic-based composite and molded by compression to meet a specific mass and shape for use with an Olympic lifting bar.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each plate has a 17½″ diameter and the hole of the plate is a 2″ diameter hole.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each plate has a chalky appearance from the plastic composite, and wherein the chalky appearance prevents the plate from becoming discolored, and wherein the chalky appearance distinguishes the plate from conventional plates. 7-8. (canceled)
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plastic-based composite is composed of recycled plastics.
 10. A system comprising: a bar; and a plurality of plates, wherein each plate is formed as one piece of solid plastic from a plastic-based composite, wherein a given plate is a different color from other plates of a different weight, wherein each plate has a color that is provided by the plastic-composite, wherein each plate comprises a hole that is configured to receive the bar, and wherein the plurality of plates is used in a weightlifting system.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the hole of each plate has a hole tolerance and hole width that maintains sliding with ease and minimum teetering of the plate on the bar.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein each plate is formed from a plastic-based composite and is molded by compression.
 13. The system of claim 10 wherein each plate is formed from a plastic-based composite and molded by compression to meet a specific mass and shape for use with an Olympic lifting bar.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein each plate has a 17½″ diameter and the hole of the plate is a 2″ diameter hole.
 15. The system of claim 10 wherein each plate has a chalky appearance from the plastic composite, and wherein the chalky appearance prevents the plate from becoming discolored, and wherein the chalky appearance distinguishes the plate from conventional plates. 16-17. (canceled)
 18. The system of claim 10 wherein each plastic-based composite is composed of recycled plastics. 